18 things to look forward to in 2018

Tuesday

Jan 9, 2018 at 11:11 AMJan 29, 2018 at 3:52 PM

Savannah Vasquez @DestinLogSav

To kick off 2018, we compiled a list of 18 entertainment-related things to look forward to this year. We front-loaded the year because many later events haven't scheduled dates yet and, of course, these are just some of the many activities planned. Remember to read DN every week to stay up to date on events in the months ahead. Happy New Year!

1 30A Songwriters Festival

Jan. 12-15: The 9th Annual 30A Songwriters Festival brings creative musicians together for a sprawling festival that livens up venues up and down Scenic Highway 30A. About 175 songwriters from around the country will converge on South Walton’s 30A starting today and continuing through Monday to play intimate concerts and other festive events. Visit www.30asongwritersfestival.com.

2 Escape 2 Create

The REP Theatre in Seaside will host guest performance crew Escape 2 Create with three special shows in January.

Feb. 16-17: Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort celebrates the Gulf coast right by hosting an annual Gumbo Festival to showcase Cajun cuisine. Destin area top chefs will go head-to-head to see whose gumbo will win top prize for best gumbo on the Emerald Coast. Take part in the crawfish boil kick-off party on Friday, then come back Saturday for a day of tasting and enjoying live music and festivities. Visit www.sandestingumbofestival.com.

4 "Peter Pan"

March 3-4: The Northwest Florida Ballet presents a brand new version of the classic tale of "Peter Pan." There will be an original score composed by local music director David Ott and never-before-seen choreography and sets by international guest artist Katia Garza. The show will be held at Mattie Kelly Arts Center March 3 at 7:30 p.m. and March 4 at 2:30 p.m. For tickets, visit www.mattiekellyartscenter.org.

5 "The Music Man"

March 31: Sinfonia Gulf Coast presents "Meredith Willson’s The Music Man at the Symphony." Come enjoy the original film on the big screen as Sinfonia Gulf Coast performs the musical score live. The event will be held March 31 at 7:30 p.m. at the Emerald Coast Convention Center. For tickets, visit www.sinfoniagulfcoast.org.

6 "Cinderella"

April 14: Get ready for a Broadway experience with this Rodgers and Hammerstein musical edition of "Cinderella" at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center in Niceville. Enjoy a matinee April 14 at 2 p.m. or an evening show at 7:30 p.m. For tickets, visit www.mattiekellyartscenter.org.

7 South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival

April 26-29: Get ready for a four-day wine-tasting extravaganza at Grand Boulevard in Miramar Beach, as this annual charity event brings in more than 800 wines from top international wineries. To purchase tickets or learn more about the festival, visit www.sowalwine.com.

8 ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival

May 12-13: ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival will bring more than 200 vetted artists from across the nation to Grand Boulevard in Sandestin for a two-day Mother’s Day weekend celebration. Visitors can peruse the art booths while listening to live music, and enjoying food vendors, children’s activities and much more. Visit www.grandboulevard.com.

9 Digital Graffiti

May 18-20: Digital Graffiti is definitely an event to mark on your calendar, as this one-of-a-kind art festival showcases digital art on the iconic white walls of Alys Beach in South Walton. Artists from around the world compete for the prestigious live gallery, and even travel to the display to give visitors a personal dialog into the inspiration of their artwork. Visit www.digitalgraffiti.com.

10 Memorial Day Weekend Concert Celebration

May 26-27: The summer season will be kicked off with this annual concert event at HarborWalk Village in Destin. The Memorial Day Weekend Concert Celebration will feature live bands nightly on the main stage, fireworks over the Destin Harbor and special guest performances such as local fire-spinning group Just Add Fire. Visit www.emeraldgrande.com.

11 Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic

June 20-24: Don’t miss the 16th Annual Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Baytowne Marina. Watch as fishing teams from across the nation weigh-in fish of different species and sizes on the evenings of June 20-24 from 4 to 9 p.m. Visit www.fishecbc.com.

12 Independence Day Celebrations

July 4: The Destin Harbor will be a happening place on Independence Day, July 4, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. with live music, and fireworks among other festivities. Visit www.emeraldgrande.com.

13 "The Little Mermaid"

Aug. 3-5 & 10-12: Stage Crafters Community Theatre Inc. will present "The Little Mermaid" directed by Jean Starkey this summer. Founded in Fort Walton Beach, Stage Crafters Community Theatre has been in the community for more than 45 years. Stay up to date on auditions, tickets and show times on their website, www.stagecraftersfwb.com.

14 Emerald Coast Poker Run

Aug. 8-11: For 25 years, the Emerald Coast Foundation has hosted the Emerald Coast Poker Run to raise money for area non-profits that benefit youth. During this one week in August, boaters can enter the poker run race and everyone is welcome to take part in events such as a boat parade, bikini contest, and a fun kick off event at AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar in Destin. Visit www.emeraldcoastpokerrun.com.

15 Mattie Kelly Concerts in the Village

September: Every year the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation hosts a fall outdoor concert series at the Dugas Pavilion and Village Green at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village in Destin. Every Thursday night during this four-week concert series, patrons can catch a live concert and enjoy food from local food trucks at 4323 Commons Drive in Destin. Check out www.mattiekellyartsfoundation.org for times and concerts.

16 70th Annual Destin Fishing Rodeo

Oct. 1-31: During the entire month of October each year, the Destin Fishing Rodeo brings anglers and crowds of onlookers down to the floating wharf behind AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar in Destin. Surrounding the fishing rodeo will be festivities for young and old, and as weigh-master Bruce Cheves says, "Bring me a fish, and I’ll make you famous!” Visit www.destinfishingrodeo.org.

17 Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival

Oct. 19-21: The 42nd Annual Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival in Niceville is a unique celebration of Northwest Florida. The tradition centers on a local delicacy of mullet fish, but the festivities include live concerts by big name country musicians, carnival rides, arts and crafts vendors, food and much more! Check out http://boggybayoumulletfestival.info/.

18 31st Annual Thunderbird Intertribal Powwow:

Nov. 2-4: The Thunderbird Intertribal Powwow is like no other event in Northwest Florida. The local celebration of Native American culture allows for people from all walks of life to experience and appreciate America’s first culture. Enjoy Native American arts and crafts, dance, music and showmanship during the three day festival at the Mullet Festival Grounds in Niceville. Visit www.crazycrow.com.

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